Targeting newly-identified brain protein brings hope of new treatment for Parkinson's disease

Groundbreaking research by the University of Sydney has identified a new brain protein involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease and a way to modify it, paving the way for future treatments for the disease. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurological condition after dementia, with over 150,000 people in Australia living with the condition.

The research team, led by Professor Kay Double from the Brain and Mind Centre, has spent more than a decade studying the biological mechanisms underpinning the condition, with the aim of finding new treatments to slow or stop its progression. Read more>

First-of-its-kind Study to Pave Way for Oxytocin Tracing in Humans

The study led by Professor Adam Guastella and the Child Neurodevelopment and Mental Health research team, could have big impacts for research into how oxytocin affects the brain. Read more>

Can hearing aids prevent dementia?

A unique study, Macquarie University, Cochlear and Brain and Mind Centre is exploring whether hearing aids and cochlear implants can slow cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk. Dr. Zihao Tang aims to uncover how hearing interventions might protect brain health by analyzing complex data from hearing device users. Read more>

Restrictive criteria for frontotemporal dementia lead to late treatment

Professor Olivier Piguet and other researchers from the University of Sydney are calling for updated diagnostic criteria for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD)—a younger-onset dementia. Read more>

Placebo pain relief works differently across body

Research from the Translational Psychopharmacology research team, led by Dr. Lewis Crawford and Professor Luke Henderson, discovered a precise, map-like system in the brainstem that controls pain relief differently depending on the body part affected, using placebo and advanced 7-Tesla fMRI imaging. Read more>

Promising new treatments to aid Dementia recovery

Clinical trials are underway at Kinoxis Therapeutics, to test a promising new treatment for dementia which could also help people recovering from addiction. Chief Scientific Officer Professor Michael Bowen talks about his journey from the lab to company co-founder on his mission to help people struggling with 'forgotten disorders'. 

Kinoxis Therapeutics was founded on the basis of the research led by scientists at the University of Sydney. Kinoxis is taking a newly developed molecule, KNX100, from the lab into clinical trials and eventually to market. Read more>

People with Young Onset Dementia Less Legally Protected

A new Issues Paper from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and Dementia Law Network highlights stronger legal protections and support urgently needed for people with young-onset dementia. 

The report was authored by Professor Nola Ries, Dr Sascha Callaghan, Dr Kristina Chelberg and Dr Evelyn Rose and A/Prof Fiona Kumfor. Read more>

Facing Dementia Together Campaign

A new 18-month campaign will run across South Western Sydney, with community talks, events, printed resources and social media delivered in Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese and English languages.

“We want every person in our communities to know that dementia is not your fault, it’s not shameful – and help is available,” says Professor Lee-Fay Low.

The University of Sydney is leading the Facing Dementia Together campaign in partnership with trusted local multicultural organisations. The new campaign includes free in-language community information sessions, practical resources such as a symptom checklist, and culturally tailored messaging to reduce fear, stigma and delays in diagnosis. Read more>